Wisdom begins at home

Family takes importance of education to the next level.

Family takes importance of education to the next level.

January 08, 2006|TERESA TAYLOR WILLIAMS The Muskegon Chronicle

FRUITPORT, Mich. (AP) -- During a challenging day as chief of Fruitport Community Schools, Nick Ceglarek might call his mother. That's because Catherine Ceglarek can offer wisdom from her experience in education. She, too, is a school district superintendent, at Allendale Public Schools, and a 23-year veteran in education. Catherine Ceglarek said that, when it comes to discussing their trade, her relationship with her son is a two-way street. "We share lots of thoughts and ideas and he's had an impact on me," she said. "He's always so willing to help me, and I take the help. I learn so much from him." Nick Ceglarek, 32, moved to the Fruitport district in August 2004 from Baldwin, where he also was superintendent. Prior to that, he was an administrator and educator at Rockford Public Schools. Mother and son value their friendship and professional relationship, particularly in their profession, which carries more than the usual amount of pressure these days. "In a position where you can feel isolated, we are lucky to have each other as sounding boards," said Nick Ceglarek. "My mother has been so much more than a mother. She is a confidante, friend and colleague." Catherine Ceglarek said many students complete educational leadership courses but fewer are choosing to take positions as principals and superintendents. "It's probably the stress of the job, the expectations of trying to make everyone happy," she said. "Of course the financial crises in most districts add to the frustration of not being able to implement programs that we really want to implement for our children. "But where you can effect change the most in a school district is at this level," she said. Some of her most gratifying moments as a mother have been taking classes with her son as they work on the same doctoral program in education. "He was more than an equal in this class. I learned how precious, wise and dedicated he is as a human being, and I'm always overwhelmed with pride toward him," Catherine Ceglarek said of her son. Mother and son planned to spend the holidays among family on one condition: that they leave school business at the office. "I always joke that our families don't allow us to sit together because we talk business, but it's not always true. We're a close family and we enjoy our time together," said Nick Ceglarek.